Expansion joint structure



Decyzs, 1937. R, HALL 2,103,981

EXPANSION JOINT STRUCTURE Filed June 1l, 1936 Patented Dec. 28, 1937 EXPANSION JOINT STRUCTURE Robert Hall, Lockport,

N. Y., assigner to American District Steam Company, North Tonawan da, N. Y., a corporation of New York i Application June 11,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to expansion structures of the slip joint type which are primarily designed for use with steam or the like systemsA wherein provision is made to permit the normal expansion, contraction or other tendencies of the pipe line to move.

The subject-matter of the present invention is an improvement over the structure shown in Patent No. 1,367,348 to Eugene L. Barnes dated February 1, 1921. As disclosed in this patent the expansion joint comprises inner and outer relatively slidable members with a packing located therebetween, and one feature described therein c is the provision of an air space to provide a heat insulated area between the interior of the inner sliding member and the packing. Provision is also made in the expansion joint for the free cir.- culation of air in and out the space so that the extreme heat from the steam or otheruid within the joint may be dissipated and the destructive effect of such heat on the joint packing thereby materially decreased. v

Although, theoretically, an air space provides a good insulation against heat it is difcult in they practical use of the Barnes joint to maintain the desiredinsulation of the packing against high line temperatures. When the joint is employed in an underground line considerable moisture is encountered. Because the air space of the joint is open such moisture accumulates Atherein and seriously affects the heat insulating properties of the construction inasmuch as water is a good conductor of heat.` y

The general object of the present invention is to provide an expansion joint'in Which the joint packing is permanently and effectively insulated against heat from within the joint. It is a further object to provide an insulating construction for a joint packing which is not adversely affected by moisture, as is true of the Barnes joint, and having lasting insulating properties under all conditions of use. l

In order that the invention may be clearly understood I have disclosed one specific embodiment of the same in the accompanyingdrawing which 1936, Serial N0. 84,742

ing member I4. Located adjacent one end of V`the bore of the member I2 is an annular recess I5 for the reception of a packing I6, which is held between the inner sliding member I4 and the outer member -I2 by means of a packing ring or gland. Il. The gland I1 is provided with a flange I8 adapted to cooperate with a ange I9 on the member I2 and by means of suitable bolts 20 vmaintains the packing ring or gland tightly against the packing to retain it in fixed position. The inner sliding member I4 is made up of two spaced concentric sleeves 2I and 22 respectively. The inner and outer sleeves areV united at one end, preferably the inner end, by a connecting portion 23. Such parts may be cast as an integral unit, or

s .PATENT OFFICE..

conveniently may be separately formed and-- welded together.v Adjacent the opposite end the' sleeves are provided with spacing blocks 24. As shown in Fig. 2 four of these spacing elements may be provided and are arranged inwardly of the open end a slight distance. With such an arrangement the concentric inner and outer walls of asbestos because of the high insulating properv ties thereof, and its immunity to deterioration under heat. For best results the insulating medium should be loosely packed in the annular chamber 25 and not packed so tightly as` to constitute a substantially solid layer.

The insulating material will extend for the entire length of the duplex sleeve construction of the inner joint member. To prevent penetration of moisture the open end of the chamber 25 can be sealed after insertion of the insulation 26- so that the 'packed chamber will be completely closed and the insulation completely protected in use. For this purpose the insulation may be terminated short of the end extremities of sleeves 2| and 22 and a braided asbestos packing 2l and/or a suitable heat-resistive grouting forced into the annular end space. As shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the spacing blocks 24 may form a seat lending support to such end seal.

I claim:

1. An expansion joint comprising inner rand v ber, and sealing means closingrsaid end of the chamber of the inner joint member. Y, 'Y

2. An expansion joint comprising` innery and outer sliding-joint members, a sealing member Vbetweensaid slidingv members, said inner joint member having a laminated Wall structure including an outer metallic section in sliding con- Vtact with the sealing member, an intermediate porous Ysection of heat insulating material, an inner metallic section, and Vsealing means at the ends of the intermediate insulating section.

VVROBER'I HALL. 

